Water Assets Divestment

Recently we asked for your feedback regarding the potential sale of our water assets. Thank you for taking the time to provide this valuable information.

Over 470 people completed the survey and results were strongly in favour of Council owning the water assets. Results also identified a general concern around perceived negative implications of privatisation.

The released sections of the Community Engagement Report can be found in the document library.

Council were presented with the Community Engagement Report and summary results of the Expression of Interest process on 11 September 2018 and decided that an informed decision could not be made without more detailed information, and agreed to proceed to a ‘Request for Tender (RFT) process.

This does not mean that Elected Members have decided to sell the Water Assets.

The tender process will ultimately inform council and the community on what a sale might mean - for customers, the community and council.

The tender process is expected to take some time and once completed we will engage with the community again.

The community views will be presented to the chamber again along with the tender response and the comparison case of retaining versus disposing of the assets.

If the community again indicates a preference not to dispose of the assets, the elected members will be advised of this to assist with their decision making process.

BACKGROUND

The City of Onkaparinga currently owns and operates two water assets – the Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) and the Water Business (WB), our Stormwater and Alternative Water Supply Scheme.

Following a decision by the City of Onkaparinga elected members in March 2018; we commenced an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to see if any specialist water companies have an interest in owning and operating these two assets.

We undertook a public consultation process on Monday 9 July that concluded on Monday 6 August 2018 and these results were presented to Council.

It is important for us to understand what’s most important to customers and the community, to help inform any future decisions.

Consultation Outomes

Recently we asked for your feedback regarding the potential sale of our water assets. Thank you for taking the time to provide this valuable information.

Over 470 people completed the survey and results were strongly in favour of Council owning the water assets. Results also identified a general concern around perceived negative implications of privatisation.

The released sections of the Community Engagement Report can be found in the document library.

Council were presented with the Community Engagement Report and summary results of the Expression of Interest process on 11 September 2018 and decided that an informed decision could not be made without more detailed information, and agreed to proceed to a ‘Request for Tender (RFT) process.

This does not mean that Elected Members have decided to sell the Water Assets.

The tender process will ultimately inform council and the community on what a sale might mean - for customers, the community and council.

The tender process is expected to take some time and once completed we will engage with the community again.

The community views will be presented to the chamber again along with the tender response and the comparison case of retaining versus disposing of the assets.

If the community again indicates a preference not to dispose of the assets, the elected members will be advised of this to assist with their decision making process.

BACKGROUND

The City of Onkaparinga currently owns and operates two water assets – the Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) and the Water Business (WB), our Stormwater and Alternative Water Supply Scheme.

Following a decision by the City of Onkaparinga elected members in March 2018; we commenced an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to see if any specialist water companies have an interest in owning and operating these two assets.

We undertook a public consultation process on Monday 9 July that concluded on Monday 6 August 2018 and these results were presented to Council.

It is important for us to understand what’s most important to customers and the community, to help inform any future decisions.

Have your say on the possible sale of the City of Onkaparinga’s water assets.

Council currently owns and manages two water assets;

Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS)

Water Business (Stormwater Harvesting and Alternative Water Supply Scheme).

The CWMS disposes of wastewater from approximately 4500 households and businesses in our southern region.

The Water Business (WB) – developed as part of council’s Waterproofing the South project - collects recycled water and stormwater and distributes it for the irrigation of parks, sporting clubs and schools.

Council is exploring the possible sale of these assets because aContinue reading

Possible sale of council’s water assets

Have your say on the possible sale of the City of Onkaparinga’s water assets.

Council currently owns and manages two water assets;

Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS)

Water Business (Stormwater Harvesting and Alternative Water Supply Scheme).

The CWMS disposes of wastewater from approximately 4500 households and businesses in our southern region.

The Water Business (WB) – developed as part of council’s Waterproofing the South project - collects recycled water and stormwater and distributes it for the irrigation of parks, sporting clubs and schools.

Council is exploring the possible sale of these assets because a specialist water company may be in a better position to deliver more efficient operations and also significantly invest in them, providing a better level of service to customers.